How to Use a Lathe Ball Cutter

• 1 Set the jaws for the bar stock, which could be steel, brass, aluminum or any other type of material, that you will be using with the lathe ball cutter. Lathe ball cutters are only used on manual lathes. CNC lathes can cut ball shapes using the computer control, so no specialized cutter is needed. Slide the proper chuck jaws in their slots and tighten them down using an Allen wrench.
• 2Place the lathe ball cutter assembly on the ways of the lathe, which are the two bars leading from the tail stock of the lathe to the chuck. These bars guide the tool post, as well as tail stock, for cutting. The whole assembly will sit in front of the chuck jaw, so move the tool post out of the way by cranking the traverse handle clockwise or unlocking it and manually sliding it out of the way. Center the lathe ball cutter on the chuck to get an even ball shape. Any deviation from dead center will result in an uneven ball shape.
• 3Mark or note the dimension on the ball cutter where you will stop to get to the desired diameter. Use the measurements on the right or left side of the cutting block to determine that location. Loosen the cutting block with an Allen wrench, bring it out about 1/2 inch, and re-tighten the block after you have made the proper adjustment.Place the material in the chuck jaws after moving the lathe ball cutter to the side with the handle. Turn the chuck on to make sure that the material is spinning concentrically. Turn the chuck off and turn the lathe ball cutter handle left to right to see where the cutter will touch the material. Bring the cutter in if it isn't touching anything when you attempt to make the first cut, or out if it is going to gouge the material. You want to start with small cuts and work your way into the piece.
• 4Start the machine and move the handle back and forth, left to right from dead center of the chuck, until you reach the clearance point of the material. Bring the cutter in 0.05-inch and take another cut. Continue this process until you reach your final dimension as noted on the slide of the lathe ball cutter. The finished ball will be the size that you noted or marked in Step 3.
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• 5Read more: How to Use a Lathe Ball Cutter | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_12024056_use-lathe-ball-cutter.html#ixzz1b92OL3Rx
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• Lathe Ball Cutter
  

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